The Cabinet also approved the ratification and entry into force of the third Protocol to the Convention between India and New Zealand for the avoidance of double taxation. Photo: Priyanka Parashar/Mint

New Delhi: In a significant push to provide school education in rural areas, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the opening of one Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) in each of the 62 districts so far not covered under the scheme with an outlay of Rs2,871 crore.

As many as 35,000 students are expected to benefit from the JNVs which would also provide direct permanent employment to 2,914 individuals. A full-fledged JNV provides jobs to 47 people.

The Cabinet also cleared the merchant shipping bill, 2016 for introduction in Parliament. This bill will be a revamped version of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958, with 280 sections instead of previously added 560 sections, provide for the repealing of that act as well as the repealing of the Coasting Vessels Act, 1838.

The Cabinet approved the diversion of State Highway-149, passing through Naval land at Kakinada. This will involve taking over of 11.25 acres of land of the Andhra Pradesh government. This is meant to ensure the safety and security of Amphibious Warfare Training Centre along with related infrastructure.

Apart from these decisions, the Cabinet also approved the ratification and entry into force of the third Protocol to the Convention between India and New Zealand for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income (Convention).

The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding among New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization, Japan and the ministries of finance, health and family welfare and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) concerning the Demonstration Project for ICT-based Green Hospital at AIIMS in Delhi was also approved by the Cabinet.